A Question That Will Change The Way You See Life

By: Cheng Bondoc

Over the past weeks, I’ve been thinking about this question, “what if I only have 6 months to live? What would I do?” This question made me pause for a while from my busy life and helped me evaluate my life from the outside. After hearing stories from some old relatives, I realized, life is really short.
 
When reality kicks in, and you realize that life is really short, and you let it sink in a little bit more, then some things will never be the same. At times, you really need to ponder about these words, “Time is the only limited thing in this world”. As I write this article, I can never go back to that same time, never again. Every minute that passes by is a minute that is deducted to that six months I have. Yes, thinking about this, all the things that matter to me started to wander in my mind.
 
I started thinking about my 6 year old child, his hugs, his kisses, his laughter, his cuteness, and everything about him. And thinking about the limited time I have, I know I’m gonna miss this so bad, really bad. But the reality is I always had the time I needed to hug him, kiss him and play with him. The problem is, most of the time, we don’t value the things or people around us because they’re just there.  They will always be there. And that’s what you think. You’re wrong! Definitely wrong! Believe me, your child will only be 6 years old once. And once that time has flown away, believe me, you can never go back. You can never set the time back where in it is still cute to hug your child, it is still fun to laugh with them, you’re not too old to play with them outside and how you wish you had more time with your child. So think about it. Life is too short not to kiss, hug and play with your child everyday.
 
I started thinking about my lucky life partner, you got to believe me, she’s very lucky to have me. But of course, I’m also lucky to have her, her sweetness, thoughtfulness, and her effort to make me happy everyday, not to mention the astounding food she cooks for me everyday. And those efforts everyday that I didn’t always see because I’m blinded by the tasks I need to do, everyday. So I changed.
 
Because we are all blinded by the things we need to do everyday that we forget all the things that we can be thankful for in our life, all those simple little things that matters. We are blinded by the struggles and trials that trouble our mind. We are blinded by the goals we have always wanted to achieve. We are blinded by the questions we couldn’t seek the answers.
 
Life is too short not to see the gift of life everyday. Yes, I know it’s difficult at times. But if you only have 6 months to live, think about it, is it worthy to live it like the way you’re living it now? If you live your life for 90 years worrying about the same things everyday, would you call it a life? You’re right if you think it’s easier said than done. And you can find all the reasons not to be happy, you also can find all the reasons to be happy. The call is yours.
 
I started to think about my parents and asked the question, “have I given my best to make them happy?” Since they had given up their dreams to fulfill mine. They set aside their happiness just to see my smile. Remember that time when you were dreaming really big, and then a baby was born, and then things began to change. That is an event that in life that we often miss. That is the unconditional love of the parents. And I deeply understand. But at times, when we already have our own family, we forgot to realize that our parents were still there. They love us beyond what we can understand. So I asked myself, “Am I worthy of the things they gave up for me?”
 
You started to count the time you still have. Then you counted theirs. Both of them are running out. Think of those things that you should have done for them. Then do it now. Regret never fails to make people sad.
 
What if I only got 6 months to live? And then I realized God is teaching me something. When you feel like you only got 6 months to live, or may be you’re troubled by something, or you don’t understand what is happening right now, believe me, God is teaching you something. And I like it. Because if He is teaching me something, that means He cares. And He whispered these things to me;
 
Kiss and hug the people you love as many as you can.
Find your purpose and make significance.
1 day of hate is equivalent to 1 day of not being happy.
Life is too short because we don’t belong here.